Breaking the Waves
First screened in January 1997 / Most recently screened in Summer 2013
Director: Lars von Trier. Cast: Emily Watson, Stellan Skarsgård, Katrin Cartlidge, Adrian Rawlins, Jean-Marc Barr, Sandra Voe, Jonathan Hackett, Phil McCall, Robert Robertson, Mikkel Gaup, Roef Ragas, Ray Jeffries, Udo Kier, David Bateson. Screenplay: Lars von Trier.

Twitter Capsule: Von Trier, Watson intimidatingly brave. Müller's lensing equally brilliant, as are Cartlidge, Skarsgård. Epic.

VOR:   Long-awaited arrival of rich characters, dramatic momentum into Von Trier's dense semiotics. Brazen dive into spirituality and sexuality as well. Even iffy finale a fearless gamble.



Photo © 1996 October Films/Zentropa Entertainments

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: A–


Academy Award Nominations:
Best Actress: Emily Watson

Golden Globe Nominations:
Best Picture (Drama)
Best Actress (Drama): Emily Watson

Other Awards:
Cannes Film Festival: Grand Jury Prize
New York Film Critics Circle: Best Director; Best Actress; Best Cinematography (Robby Müller; also cited for Dead Man)
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: New Generation Award (Watson)
National Society of Film Critics: Best Picture; Best Director; Best Actress; Best Cinematography
César Awards (French Oscars): Best Foreign-Language Film
European Film Awards: Best Picture; Best Actress
Satellite Awards: Best Foreign-Language Film

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